外 来 種(がいらいしゅ)

がいらいしゅ

noun

invasive species; non-native species

1. invasive species; non-native species

A species of plant or animal brought into an ecosystem from outside and that has become established there. In Japanese usage, 外来種(がいらいしゅ) often carries a negative connotation because such species can disrupt local ecosystems and threaten native wildlife.

外来種(がいらいしゅ)の魚(さかな)。

A non-native species of fish.

外来種(がいらいしゅ)が川(かわ)の生態系(せいたいけい)を壊(こわ)している。

Invasive species are damaging the river's ecosystem.

環境省(かんきょうしょう)は、特定(とくてい)の外来種(がいらいしゅ)の飼育(しいく)や販売(はんばい)を法律(ほうりつ)で規制(きせい)している。

The Ministry of the Environment legally regulates the keeping and sale of certain invasive species.

Composed of 外来(がいらい) (coming from outside) and 種(しゅ) (species, kind). A biology and environmental-policy term that is also widely used in everyday news and conversation about nature conservation. While literally meaning "foreign species," in practice it often refers specifically to problematic invasive species that harm local ecosystems.

Common collocations

特定(とくてい)外来種(がいらいしゅ): designated invasive species (legally regulated)
外来種(がいらいしゅ)の駆除(くじょ): extermination of invasive species
外来種(がいらいしゅ)問題(もんだい): the invasive species problem
外来種(がいらいしゅ)が増(ふ)える: invasive species increase in number

Similar words

在来種(ざいらいしゅ): native species — the opposite of 外来種(がいらいしゅ)
固有種(こゆうしゅ): endemic species — found only in a specific region
帰化(きか)生物(せいぶつ): naturalized organism — a non-native species that has fully established itself

Related Words

Compare: 希少種(きしょうしゅ) (rare species)

general

Added 2026.4.11 23:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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